Schleswig-Holstein gives constitutional recognition to Roma and Sinti

The Roma and Sinti community in Schleswig-Holstein has yesterday achieved constitutional recognition. The vote of the Schleswig-Holstein parliament was unanimous.

“The Danish national minority, the minority of German Sinti and Roma, and the Frisian population group are entitled to promotion and protection.”

These are the amended words of the Schleswig-Holstein Constitution after yesterday’s unanimous adoption by the Schleswig-Holstein parliament.

Heretofore, the Schleswig-Holstein Constitution recognized the Danish minority and the North Frisians in Schleswig-Holstein through Article 5 of the Constitution. Now the Roma and Sinti will enjoy equal protection.

The recognition of the Danish and the North Frisian minorities was approved in 1990. It has resulted in a number of specific statutes provisioning the protection of the culture, language and educational rights of these minorities.